Redland City Mayor Karen Williams and councillors will host a celebratory barbecue for hundreds of the city’s volunteers tomorrow to thank them for their contribution to the Redlands community.
Volunteers from across the community will join the Mayor and councillors for the barbecue at Norm Price Park- Redland Showground and presentation of certificates of appreciation to the Redland SES and Regional SES Member of the Year, Gersualdo Lo Presti.
“Volunteers are our community’s most valuable asset and a thread that binds so much of our community together,” the Mayor said.
“But their self-effacing character means there are limited public opportunities to say thank you, so it’s a great delight to have this opportunity to do so.
“International Volunteers Day celebrations this week have been reminder that volunteer contributions across Australia are now estimated to be worth more than the mining industry.
“But the true value of the contribution by our city’s volunteers to the lives of thousands of people in our community is inestimable.
“It is visible every week in the hours of work put in by hundreds of sporting club volunteers who are shaping the health of our community and our younger generation.
“It is evident in the tireless efforts of the nearly 300 highly trained Redland SES volunteers who were appropriately recognised last month as the best Regional Unit of the Year for the third time.
“Our city’s bush care, IndigiScapes and catchment volunteers have been major contributors to the Redlands again winning the title of Queensland’s Most Sustainable City (2012).
“They have also contributed to marked improvements in the health of our waterways, bays and catchment in this year’s South East Queensland Ecosystem Health Report Card.
“Whether it is cancer fund raising, Meals on Wheels or the life saving and community support efforts of SES volunteers, we are very grateful and truly humbled by the efforts of all our volunteers.
“I am sure all of the Redlands will join us in saying thank you and wishing all our volunteers an especially safe and happy Christmas and New Year.”